Evaluation of macro-invertebrates as bio-indicators of water quality and the assessment of the impact of the Klein Plaas dam on the Eerste River
Date
2005-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
A semi-arid country, like South Africa, with unpredictable seasonal rainfall, is subject
to great scarcity in water and an ever-increasing demand from the rising human
population. Therefore, efficient reservoirs as well as monitoring methods are needed
to manage the South African water supply.
This study was undertaken on the Eerste River in the Western Cape, South Africa,
focusing on the impact of the Klein Plaas dam system on the benthic
macroinvertebrates. The study also examined the use of benthic macroinvertebrates
as bioindicators of water quality with special reference to the South African Scoring
System Version 5(SASS5) that is currently being used nationally.
The impoundment of the water, as well as the inter-basin transfer programme and the
experimental cage-culture trout farm, all play a significant role in the disturbance
impact of the dam on the Eerste River system. The disturbance is manifested as a
drop in water quality that can be seen in the distribution of keystone species, changes
in the riparian vegetation, as well as in physical-, chemical-, and biomonitoring
evaluations.
The study also indicated that the SASS5 is effective, but needs some adjustments,
such as inclusion of a prediction phase, finer spatial-scale methodologies and greater
consideration of the rarity of species.
Description
Thesis (MScAgric (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Conservation ecology and entomology, Theses -- Conservation ecology and entomology, Reservoirs -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa, Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eerste River, Water quality biological assessment -- South Africa -- Eerste River, Benthic animals -- Effect of habitat modification on -- South Africa -- Eerste River, Invertebrates -- Effect of habitat modification on -- South Africa -- Eerste River, Indicators (Biology) -- South Africa -- Eerste River, Stream ecology -- South Africa -- Eerste River